''MR COLIN BENNET CHAIRMAN TUDWICK FOUNDATION TRUST VISITS COLCHESTER NEPALI LITERACY CLASS''

On Saturday, 10 December, Mr Colin Bennet, Chairman of Tudwick Foundation, visited Nepali Literacy Class at the kind invitation of the CNS executives at 11:30 at Musket Club.

Let me introduce the Tudwick Foundation. Mr Colin Bennet used to work in the City and earned significant money. He retired some five/six years ago. He had money required beyond his need and therefore set up a Tudwick Foundation to assist those struggling to run literacy classes in their community. His trust gives money to those operating in Essex and Suffolk, about just over £100,000 every year. He read our application in 2021 and allocated us £1000. We bought three iPads from the funds allocated.

We invited Colin in late 2021 to visit the Nepali Literacy Class at Musket Club. We explained the requirement to buy an additional three iPads and whiteboards.

Colin said you could send another application in 2022. We sent another application in early April 2022. Colin kindly allocated another £1397 in May 2022 to buy iPads and whiteboards. The iPad prices have gone up, and we could only buy two iPads, so we had to buy one from the CNS.

It is Colin's kindness and willingness to run the Nepali Literacy Class at Musket Club by Saraha, Anthony Knee, and Kamala Adhikari. Their dedication and commitment are second to none, and it has been running for almost 11 years. May god give them the energy to run for many more years.

Colin saw first-hand children using iPads and learning their mother tongue, and he knew his donation had made a significant contribution to the Nepali Literacy Class. We also briefed him that many more children will join the Literacy Class early next year when an additional Gurkha Squadron of logistics arrives in Colchester. He informed us that he is happy to receive a new application next year, thus giving some hope for more funding.

Finally, I said a few words stating that Colin's kind donation has significantly changed running Neplai Literacy Class. We thank him for his kind donation and hope to receive similar donations in future years. I can't close Colin's visit without saying a few words about Sarah, Anthony and Kamala. Without their effort and selfless work, we can't run a Nepali Literacy Class, for which I thank them from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the CNS. I also thank parents for sending their children and supervising them simultaneously during the class.

I also thank the CNS Executive (Vice Chair and the Treasurer) for making their time during the visit.

Well done, everyone involved.

Udai B Gurung MBE

Chair/Trustee

CNS